The debate between engineers and fabricators regarding steel connection design by the fabricator has persisted for more than 20 years. In recent years, some progress has been made toward resolving this debate. In 2001, the National Guidelines Committee of the Council of American Structural Engineers (CASE) published a commentary for the structural engineer on the Code of Standard Practice (COSP) published by the American Institute of Steel Construction (AISC). After publication of the commentary, CASE and AISC have been working together to incorporate language acceptable to both where possible. The result of these efforts is new language in the proposed 2010 COSP, currently in AISC’s approval process.

Design options— The current COSP has two options for connection design. The first option requires the design drawings to provide complete connection design information. The intent of this first option is that the complete design information necessary for detailing the connection is shown in the drawings. The second option provides for the connections to be selected and completed by an experienced steel detailer. This option allows some flexibility for the fabricator to select connection materials and configuration from information provided in the drawings.

The 2010 COSP, if adopted, would add a third option for the steel connections to be designed by a licensed professional engineer working for the fabricator and require that the drawings designate which option is to be used for each connection. All three options could be used on a given project.

The proposed new, third option in the COSP calls for the engineer of record to provide the following information:

• any restrictions on the type of connection that may be used,
• the magnitude and type of load (service or factored) for each connection,
• whether LRFD or ASD is to be used for design, and
• to specify the connection design information that is required to be in the shop drawing submittal.

As part of the submittal process, the fabricator is to provide the following certain information:

• samples of substantiating connection design information,
• proof that the fabricator’s engineer has reviewed the shop drawings and confirmed that the connection design is properly incorporated into the shop drawings, and
• a link between the calculations and the shop and erection drawings.

The designer and fabricator must address several questions about this process either during design or in the preconstruction process. Preferably, the following major issues will be addressed by the design team prior to detailing in order to maximize efficiency.

• Do the connection restrictions affect fabrication economy or safety?
• How will the engineer obtain assurance that the designs have been produced by a licensed engineer and that the shop drawings represent the engineer’s design?
• Should the engineer of record provide all of the code-required load combinations, or just the load envelopes?
• When should the fabricator provide the substantiating information samples — the timing will affect the project schedule.
• What are the technical and formatting requirements for the substantiating information? Is substantiating information is required for every connection? What limit states are appropriate for the design?
• How will the fabricator provide the information linking the calculations to the drawings?

The proposed new code provisions provide an important first step toward defining the process for connections to be designed by the fabricator’s engineer. If possible, the process should take advantage of technology and use the building information models. However, engineers and fabricators must communicate early in projects to address key issues and maximize the efficiency of their efforts.

The Council of American Structural Engineers (CASE) is a coalition of the American Council of Engineering Companies (ACEC). CASE provides a forum for action to improve the quality of structural engineering through enhancement of business practices, decreased professional liability exposure, and increased profitability. To learn more, visit www.acec.org/case Andrew Rauch, P.E., S.E., is a principal with BKBM Engineers, Inc. in Minneapolis and Chair of CASE’s National Guidelines Committee. He can be reached at arauch@bkbm.com. E. Glenn Bishop, P.E., of LBYD Engineers, Inc., Mark Holland, P.E., of Paxton & Vierling Steel, and David J. Odeh, P.E., SECB, of Odeh Engineers, Inc., provided substantial contributions to this article. The contributors presented a session on this topic at the recent Structures Congress/CASE Convocation in Orlando.